Man City Fans Criticized for Lackluster Reaction to Alvarez’s Winning Goal
Manchester City supporters within the confines of the Etihad Stadium faced criticism for their subdued reaction to Julian Alvarez‘s decisive late goal against RB Leipzig.
Despite a stunning comeback from a 2-0 deficit to secure a 3-2 victory and clinch the top spot in Group G, the fans’ response to Alvarez’s winning goal appeared notably lackluster.
The match witnessed Lois Openda scoring twice in the initial half, posing a threat to Pep Guardiola’s side and hinting at potentially handing them their first European home defeat in 29 games. However, the second-half introductions of Alvarez and Jeremy Doku tilted the game’s momentum in favor of City. Erling Haaland managed to reduce the deficit nine minutes into the second half, marking his 40th Champions League goal.
Phil Foden‘s equalizer arrived with 20 minutes remaining, courtesy of exceptional teamwork between Doku and Josko Gvardiol. Alvarez completed the remarkable comeback three minutes before the final whistle, celebrating exuberantly with his teammates.
Cameras from TNT Sports captured the fans’ reaction, revealing a rather subdued display of applause following Alvarez’s crucial goal. This tepid response on such a significant occasion surprised many observers, leading to comparisons likening the atmosphere to a subdued TV talk show audience rather than passionate football supporters.
This response followed Guardiola’s recent disappointment with the quietness of City fans during their 1-1 draw with Liverpool. Meanwhile, Haaland’s goal not only contributed to City’s triumph but also cemented his status as the fastest player to reach 40 Champions League goals, surpassing the previous record holder Ruud van Nistelrooy by 10 games. This achievement adds to Haaland’s recent feat of becoming the quickest player to score 50 Premier League goals just days earlier.
Guardiola, in his post-match interview, praised the 23-year-old sensation and humorously acknowledged his consistent record-breaking performances. The manager expressed immense admiration, not only for Haaland’s goal-scoring prowess but also for his overall contribution to the team.
As City prepare to face Tottenham Hotspur in their upcoming fixture on Sunday, the subdued fan reaction and Haaland’s exceptional achievements remain as focal points following the exhilarating comeback against RB Leipzig.
